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Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale | 161 available

161 Criminal Defense lawyers are available in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These lawyers are rated between 4.5/5 to 4.9/5 and 56% provide free consultation.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Nearby Fort Lauderdale (by distance)

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Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Jason Kaufman

Firm: Kaufman Legal Group
208 SE 6th St , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.8 out of 5

Jonathan Rosenthal

Firm: Malman, Malman and Rosenthal
3107 Stirling Rd Ste 101 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33312
Practice Areas: Civil , Criminal Defense , Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.8 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Kenneth Padowitz

Firm: Kenneth Padowitz P.A.
888 S Andrews Avenue , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33316
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense
Practicing Law for 36 years -. Kenneth D. Padowitz  is a Criminal Defense lawyer at Kenneth Padowitz P.A. and is recognized in the legal community as a leading provider of strategic and aggressive representation to those accused of crimes, at both State and Federal levels. We specialize in high profile and high-stakes criminal defense cases. We also provide our sophisticated, and aggressive representation to those who have been charged with misdemeanors, such as DUI. Our law firm is geared towards providing the strategic criminal defense that is needed to defend our clients’ freedom, and we have extensive trial experience to back it up.. Ken was a former Veteran Homicide Prosecutor with the Broward County State Attorneys Office for 16 years and is uniquely qualified to resolve your criminal investigation or charge. Ken is an “AV” rated lawyer for 10 years in a row, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell and is rated 10.0 on and was honored in Florida Trend Magazines "2009 and 2018 "Legal elite". He in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers and recognized by Super lawyers as a Super Lawyer. Ken Padowitz was honored in South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers, and is “Lead Counsel” rated. Ken has tried over 300 jury trials, including over 35 First Degree Murder trials. He had one “Not Guilty” verdict out of the 35 murder trials he tried.. As an Assistant State Attorney in the Homicide Unit, Ken prosecuted many high-profile trials, which include the case against Lionel Tate, a 12 year old indicted by a grand jury as an adult in the murder of a 6-year-old girl, Tiffany Eunich. The defendant blamed professional wrestling for the child’s death. The jury convicted him of 1st degree murder.. Another one of those high profile trials include the case against Kenneth Pierce, convicted of the hit and run death of little Nicole Rae Walker. Pierce drove off the road on a Dania street and drove into a group of five children. A two-month manhunt led to the widely publicized trial and conviction of the defendant.  A computer animation reenactment of the crime was introduced into evidence at trial, by Ken, for the first time in a Florida courtroom. The appellate court upheld this visual evidence in a written opinion - the first case law in the United States to allow the use of animation in a criminal trial.. In Civil law, Ken won a verdict over Two Million dollars representing a Miami Hurricanes Football player who was attacked by the former Heavyweight World Boxing Champion, Shannon Briggs.. Broward criminal lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz, is an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University Law Center for the past 17 years and has taught and lectured extensively in the areas of trial advocacy, scientific evidence and trial exhibits. He was a Faculty Instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, University of Florida Law School prosecutor/Public Defender course, Institute of Police Technology and Management and the National Student Leadership Conference at American University in Washington D.C. and Stanford University in California. Ken was the Director of the Pre-Law program at American Heritage High School for five years where he taught students five days a week before going to court. Ken has previously sat as Chairman of a Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar, which handles matters of attorney misconduct and discipline.. Ken is frequently called upon by the news media for opinions and discussion on various legal issues being debated in the country and our community. He has appeared on 20/20 with Barbra Walters, ABC-Good Morning America, Larry King Live, The O’Riley Factor, CNN News and Headline News, CNN-The Morning Show, NBC-The Today Show, The John Walsh Show, Montell Williams, Phil Donohue, Wolf Blitzer Reports, MSNBC News, Burden of Proof, Hannity & Colmes, Gretta Van Susterns’ ‘The Point’, Court T.V., Forensic Files, American Justice, The Mitch Album Show, National Public Radio ‘All Things Considered’, many international television shows, a frequent legal expert on the Fox News Channel,  and appeared in such publications as National Trial Lawyers Magazine, People Magazine, Rosie Magazine, Maclean’s magazine, Multimedia World, The Prosecutor Magazine, Readers Digest and the front page of The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel as well as numerous other magazines and newspapers across the country.. Ken Padowitz graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and from Nova Southeastern Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.  He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986 and is a member of the Federal Trial and Appellate Bar.. Kenneth Padowitz, P.A.. 888 South Andrews Aveneue. Suite 205. Fort Lauderdale, Fl  33301
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.3 out of 5

Kenneth Malnik

Firm: Kenneth M. Malnik, P.A.
1007 N Federal Hwy Pmb 384 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33304
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.8 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.3 out of 5

Justin Duran

Firm: Duran Defense LLC
6400 N Andrews Ave , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33309
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
I am a proud Latin American who was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I am of Cuban heritage on one side of my family and Venezuelan and Italian on the other side.  I am a huge Miami sports fan. Go Fins! Go Heat!. I attended the University of South Florida and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology and a minor in History. I then attended Florida International University College of Law where I graduated Cum Laude with a Juris Doctor degree. While at FIU Law, I joined the Trial Team. As a student advocate, I won a State mock trial championship. Since graduating, I have coached the FIU Law Trial Team for at least one competition every year, resulting in multiple State and Regional championships.. Immediately after passing the Bar exam, I started as an Assistant Public Defender with the Miami Dade Public Defender's Office. I worked thousands of criminal cases, ranging from DUIs to violent crimes to sexual crimes. After 3 years as an Assistant Public Defender, I worked 2 years as an Associate at a large Florida criminal defense firm, where I continued to work very serious cases, including alleged Murders and DUI Manslaughters.. I now run my own practice, Duran Defense LLC. I am 11-3 in trial. Most attorneys will not admit to you how many trials they have lost because they are afraid. I am not afraid. As Wayne Gretzky famously and wisely said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."  I have won 78.5% of my trials, many of which seemed like lost causes to my clients when they first retained me. And that number does not account for the dozens of cases I have had dismissed right before trial because the prosecutor or opposing counsel knew of my reputation.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.7 out of 5

Joshua Rydell

Trial Lawyers Building , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Joshua Padowitz

Firm: Kenneth Padowitz, P.A.
888 S Andrews Ave # 205 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33316
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Joshua Padowitz is a skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney at Kenneth Padowitz, P.A., a reputable criminal defense law firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a strong passion for justice, a reputation for his acute attention to detail and aggressive representation, and a commitment to protecting his clients’ rights, Joshua brings an impressive background and diverse experience to every case he handles. Joshua adds his skills, knowledge, and tenacious attitude to the firm’s collective 40+ years experience in legal practice.. Joshua’s experience extends beyond his work with Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. He served as a Supreme Court Certified Legal Intern and an Assistant State Attorney in the Broward State Attorney’s Office, 17th Judicial Circuit, until April 2021. During his tenure, he honed his skills as a prosecutor and gained invaluable insight into the inner workings of the criminal justice system. A rising talent in the field of criminal defense, Joshua Padowitz is a passionate advocate, determined to hold the justice system to account and achieve exemplary outcomes for his clients.. His dedication to the field of law is also evident in his academic achievements. Joshua is one of only a few who graduated summa cum laude with a Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center in May 2019. He was a recipient of the prestigious Goodwin Scholarship and was consistently on the Dean’s List. Joshua’s academic excellence was further demonstrated by his multiple Book Awards in various legal subjects, including Contracts, Torts, Property, and Multi-State Bar Lab.. Joshua also holds a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Nova Southeastern University’s College of Psychology, where he graduated with a GPA of 3.89. He was a member of several honor societies, including Alpha Chi, Psi Chi International, Delta Epsilon Iota, and Tau Sigma. His exceptional academic performance placed him on the Dean’s List throughout his undergraduate studies.. Joshua Padowitz is a member of the Florida State Bar and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for both the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.. Joshua has been an integral part of the firm’s success. Prior to becoming an attorney, Joshua served as a law clerk for the firm in 2012, gaining valuable early experience in the field of criminal defense.. With his exceptional academic background, commitment to justice, and vast experience in the field of criminal defense and trial work, Joshua Padowitz is a highly valuable asset to Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. and the clients the firm serves.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Joshua Danz

Firm: Joshua S. Danz, P.A.
101 NE 3rd Ave. , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
As a former Prosecutor, Mr. Danz has handled thousands of cases and taken over a hundred cases to trial, with great success. Mr. Danz is uniquely qualified to handle any case given his experience both in and out of the courtroom. Throughout his career, Mr. Danz has handled virtually every kind of criminal case. Misdemeanor charges ranging from DUI and Battery to Theft and drug possession. He has also handled Felony charges including, but not limited to, Grand Theft, Felony Drug Possession/Delivery, Drug Trafficking, Aggravated Battery, Burglary, Robbery, Firearm Offenses, Attempted Murder and Sexual Battery.. Mr. Danz knows that an arrest or any trouble with Law Enforcement can have a significant impact on a person's freedom, liberty, career, personal life and their family. Understanding that, our team is committed to vigorously defending your case from beginning to end in order to help you and your family through the legal process. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Danz has earned himself a stellar reputation for being extremely hard-working, persuasive and innovative. Mr. Danz's tenure at the State Attorney's Office has not only provided him with significant trial experience, but it allows him to present his clients with the most well-rounded and thorough defense possible.. Knowing what it takes to prove a case as a Prosecutor has equipped Mr. Danz with invaluable insight that allows him to successfully defend his clients. Not only is it important to know how to defend your clients, but also know how to attack the Government's evidence and their arguments against you. Mr. Danz recognizes that going to trial for many clients may be a last resort, and at first, it is necessary to exhaust every other option prior to trial. Often, defending a case begins when charges are presented to the State or Federal Government. Mr. Danz's aggressive, yet respectful approach assists him in advocating for his clients and their best interest. Ultimately, whether a case is resolved by way of dismissal, trial or plea, Mr. Danz works diligently with you and your family in order order to produce the most effective defense and results possible.. When you have a legal matter that requires immediate action, attention to detail and the highest quality legal representation, Mr. Danz is always available for his clients. Handling cases primarily in Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County.
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.5 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.7 out of 5

Joseph Zager

Firm: ZAGERLAW, P.A.
12 SE 7th Street , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Joseph Zager obtained his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University School of Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Zager is admitted to both the Florida Bar and to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.. Mr. Zager started his career while in law school as an Intern for local defense attorneys in Broward County. Upon graduating from law school he worked for the Broward County State Attorneys Office. Mr. Zager has over thirteen (13) years experience as a Prosecutor working in many different divisions including the Sexual Battery Unit, where he helped create the Computer CyberCrime Unit which focused on Child Pornography and Computer Child Exploitation.  Mr. Zager also was a supervisor to new attorneys in the Misdemeanor Division and has prosecuted all levels of crime including Capital Sexual Battery, Murder, Kidnapping, Aggravated Batteryand Robbery with a Firearm.. Since leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Mr. Zager has handled all types of Criminal Defense and Family Law Matters as well as assisted injured workers in obtaining their financial and medical benefits from employers.  Mr. Zager in his own legal practice focuses on high level communication with clients and zealously advocates on their behalf.. Mr. Zager has developed a reputation for operating ethically while aggressively defending the interests of his clients. Once engaged in representing an individual, he will prepare and investigate every possible angle to seek out any issue that will help strengthen his clients case. This is done for the sole purpose of achieving the BEST POSSIBLE RESULT for his clients, which is his only goal.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.7 out of 5

Jonathan Friedman

Firm: Law Office of Jonathan S. Friedman, P.A.
101 NE 3rd Avenue , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Jonathan S. Friedman is a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Defense Expert who has been a practicing Criminal Defense Attorney for over 20 years in South Florida.He handles all criminal cases, including appeals, in both State and Federal court throughout South Florida. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal DefenseAttorneys, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and the Broward County Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Mr. Friedman received his BoardCertification in Criminal Trial Law in 2007 from the Florida Bar Association and has recently been re-approved for board certification for the next 5 years.. Criminal Defense Lawyer Jonathan S. Friedman graduated from Florida State University (1989), where he received a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminology with a minor inEconomics. He received his Juris Doctorate Law Degree from Nova Law School (1992). Mr. Friedman serves on both the Justice Administrative Commission Indigency Panel and theFederal Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Southern District of Florida. He has also testified as an Expert in matters regarding criminal law and procedure.. Jonathan S. Friedman has an outstanding reputation in the South Florida legal community as an extremely competent and aggressive criminal defense attorney. He has handledthousands of criminal cases during his career and has aggressively defended over 100+ jury and non-jury trials. His legal abilities and experience have lead to successfuloutcomes in many criminal cases. Mr. Friedman takes a personal, hands-on approach to criminal defense cases. He understands the value of communication and the importancekeeping his clients informed of the legal process. You will always feel confident that you are in good hands and receiving solid legal representation with Jonathan S.Friedman.
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.9 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Jason Kreiss

1824 Southeast 4th Avenue , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33316
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Federal Crime, Federal Crime, Federal Crime
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.6 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.7 out of 5

John Weekes

Firm: Weekes Law, P.L.
633 SE 3rd Ave suite 203 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
I am a trial lawyer, with roughly over thirteen years experience in the courtroom. I know that if you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer for yourself or a loved one, you are seeking results. Furthermore, if you do not have confidence in your lawyer, you will never have confidence in the results he obtains for you. I have numerous positive outcomes at trial, and I have negotiated hundreds of plea agreements, many of which have been remarkable in their own right. I also have a notable record of dismissals, as a result of search or confession challenges under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. Most importantly I can be reached 24/7 – I believe that if you spend your money on an attorney you should have access to him at all hours of the day. Therefore, I give all my clients my cell phone number so I can be reached any day at any time. Since 2001, I have devoted my law practice to defending people against criminal charges in Federal and State Court of Florida, concentrating on Broward, Palm Beach and Dade County
Avvo Rating: Rated 3.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.4 out of 5

John Ross

Firm: John M. Ross P.A.
200 SW 1st Ave. , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Copyrights, Corporate , Criminal Defense , Family , Trademarks, Child Support, Child Support
Avvo Rating: Rated 4.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.4 out of 5

John Howes

Firm: Howes Law Group, P.A.
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 500 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Drug Crimes, Felonies, White Collar Crime, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.5 out of 5

John Cotrone

Firm: Cotrone & Cotrone
509 SE 9th St Ste 1 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33316
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.4 out of 5

Jeremy Kroll

Firm: Bogenschutz, Dutko and Kroll, P.A.
600 S Andrews Ave Ste 500 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense , Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Jennito Simon

Firm: Pierre Simon, LLC
600 SW 4th Avenue , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33315
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Jennito  feels, because of his passion of trial advocacy, his experience in jury trial, motion drafting and litigation, along, with his diverse background, as an immigrant from Haiti, he has the perfect combination of skills, experience, and compassion to be your attorney.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 3.9 out of 5

Jeffrey Robinson

633 SE 3rd Ave Ste 202 , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
After graduating the University of Florida with a Degree in Criminal Justice, I attended Stetson University College of Law, where I became a published member of the Stetson Law Review.  Upon graduation from Stetson, I began my career as a an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County, working my way up to a lead prosecutor in charge of first degree felony offenses.  After leaving the Office of the State Attorney, I opened my own practice and have specialized in criminal defense for over a decade.  I have defended criminal offenses that range from Traffic and Driving Under the Influence, up to and including first degree felonies.
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5

Jeffrey Harris

Firm: Jeffrey M. Harris P.A.
1 E. Broward Blvd , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Appellate , Criminal Defense , Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense
Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, former prosecutor (Chief of the Career Criminal Unit), former adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern Broad Sheppard College of Law, Instructor at the Prosecutors/Public Defenders Trial Advocacy Program at University of Florida College of Law, Instructor at the NITA Program at Nova Southeastern Broad Sheppard College of Law, AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, listed in Who's Who in American Law and International Who' Who of Professionals
Avvo Rating: Rated 5.0 out of 5
Lawyers Rating: Rated 4.6 out of 5

Kevin McGill

Firm: Kevin McGill
12 SE 7th Street , Fort Lauderdale , Florida 33301
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense
Originally from Buffalo, New York, I relocated to South Florida in 2008 to attend the University of Miami School of Law. While at the University of Miami, I initially clerked for a Miami Dade County Circuit Court Judge, and then spent 18 months at the Miami Dade Public Defender's Office as a certified legal intern. Upon my graduation in the spring of 2011, I sat for and passed the Florida Bar Exam, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in November of 2011. That same month, I began working for the Broward County Public Defender's Office, where I remained until 2013. When I left the Public Defender's Office, I worked for an insurance defense firm that primarily represented one of the largest insurance companies in the world. I quickly realized that representing large insurance companies was not for me, and I began my private practice in 2014. I have been practicing criminal defense and plaintiffs’ personal injury ever since, representing the rights of the accused and injured.

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